From the Community
JP NET and J&P Cleaners Recognized at State House
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The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at UMass Lowell recognized Jamaica Plain New Economy Transition and J&P Cleaners with the "Champions of Toxics Use Reduction" award at a ceremony at the state house last week. Jamaica Plain New Economy Transition received a $20K TURI grant to implement the project: “Cancer-Free New Economy Jamaica Plain: Integrating Toxics Reduction Approaches with Sustainable Community Development.” The Jamaica Plain New Economy Transition worked with retail businesses in Jamaica Plain to pursue toxics use reduction strategies in the areas of cleaning and disinfecting, solvents and pesticide use. The project team developed and promoted municipal policies in Boston and other Massachusetts communities that advance toxics use reduction in dry cleaning and other retail establishments. This effort builds upon last year’s project that established the "Cancer Free New Economy," an initiative that helps businesses transition away from using carcinogens and other toxics to safer alternatives. J&P Cleaners was recognized for switching its dry cleaning operation from using perchloroethylene (perc) to professional wet cleaning with the help of a TURI grant.